Former Celtic striker Charlie Nicholas has taken a swipe at Rangers ahead of this weekend's Old Firm derby, suggesting they have simply borrowed the title for a year.

The Lowdown: Huge game at Parkhead

The Hoops face one of their biggest Scottish Premiership games of the season on Sunday afternoon, as they entertain their biggest rivals at Parkhead.

Ange Postecoglou's side have opened up a six-point lead on Rangers with four matches remaining, highlighting the importance of the weekend clash.

Celtic won 2-1 at Ibrox earlier this month, which will give them undoubted confidence, although Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men did get revenge in the Scottish Cup semi-final.

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The Latest: Nicholas makes bold claim

Speaking to the Express [via The Daily Record], Nicholas put the boot in on Rangers, saying from what he's seen the title chase is already over:

"The Premiership trophy will be coming home to Celtic Park after this weekend. The mood seems to be that we have let Rangers borrow our trophy for one year but now we're taking it back.

"Sunday's Old Firm match is a must-win for Rangers but I still think the title is over because Celtic's games in the run-in are all winnable."

The Verdict: Celtic's title to lose

There is no doubt that the title is very much Celtic's to lose now, having enjoyed a superb first season with Postecoglou at the helm.

Victory over Rangers on Sunday would surely seal the deal - almost mathematically, in fact - and it would be richly deserved after such a consistent campaign.

For all Nicholas' bravado, however, the Hoops must not take their rivals for granted, with defeat this weekend suddenly giving the title race a very different complexion and their cup loss proof of what they are capable of.

In other news, Noel Whelan has made a Celtic transfer claim. Read more here.